Drug Company Sponsorship

mrseyes

May i ask you where do we stand with tax issues if a Drug Company Sponsor you to attend a conferance, paying for conferance fees, accomodation and flight.

Also if you go on your own time do we need to disclose where the money is coming from to employer?

Cleasby_2

Subject to certain conditions, no charge arises on the benefit of entertainment provided by a third party for an employee (or members of his family or household) by reason of his employment4. “Entertainment” for this purpose includes any form of hospitality.
The conditions are-
(a) the entertainment is not provided or procured, either directly or indirectly, by the employer or a person connected with the employer;
(b) the entertainment was not provided in recognition of particular services performed, or to be performed, by the employee in the course of his employment.
HMRC take the view that the exemption covers such items as hospitality (dinners, parties, hospitality tents at sporting events) and theatrical or sporting events where a host invites someone to accompany him as a guest. The exemption also covers costs associated with the entertainment, such as travelling expenses and overnight accommodation. The exemption also applies where the third party entertainment is provided in the form of a non-cash voucher or a credit-token.

Acknowledgement: Simon's Direct Tax Service E4.717

LittleVoice

mrseyes wrote: »

Also if you go on your own time do we need to disclose where the money is coming from to employer?

Not so much of "where the money is coming from" but whether their "entertainment" of you could be considered likely to influence you in your work.

It would be safest to tell your employer of the invitation and that you wish to attend outside of company-paid time. This would flag up any potential conflict of interest issues.